Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions
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Cobweb Spiderwort Plant (Tradescantia sillamontana) prospers in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Tradescantia sillamontana also called White Velvet Plant or White Gossamer Plant is one of the compact, upright Tradescantia varieties and bears highly branched hairy stems.
White Velvet Plant leaves are oblong-lanceolate and are in the shape of a boat's keel and may have a purple tone. The flowers are borne at the end of the stems and are a deep pink color.
The entire Cobweb Spiderwort houseplant is covered by white hairs and hence the common names. It grows to a height of about 1 foot. It is among the best small low light plants for the indoors.
White Gossamer Plant exhibits upright growth in the early stages of development but as it matures it exhibits prostrate growth and rooting at the soil surface.
Botanical name: Tradescantia sillamontana
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Cobweb Spiderwort, White Velvet Plant, White Gossamer Plant
Origin
Tradescantia sillamontana is endemic to dry areas of the State of Nuevo Len in northeastern Mexico and can also be found in Spain and Italy.
Toxicity
Tradescantia sillamontana is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling the plant.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Cobweb Spiderworts to your collection? You may get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Cobweb Spiderwort Plant Care Indoors
Cobweb Spiderwort Plant blossoms in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tradescantia sillamontana care requires repotting only when extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, to encourage a bushy, compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Cobweb Spiderwort liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Decrease watering during the cold weather to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Cobweb Spiderwort grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Tradescantia sillamontana can be grown under a grow light where the natural light is inadequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-270C is ideal for Cobweb Spiderwort. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts as they can lead to sudden changes in the temperature which can cause reduced growth and leaf drop.
Tradescantia sillamontana has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this Plant. However, where the temperatures are very high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Clean the leaves with a soft brush to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Make sure that there is proper circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
Cobweb Spiderwort soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most cactus and succulents potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Cobweb Spiderwort with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Cobweb Spiderwort during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when the roots are confined.
Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Take a look at these succulents pots available on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Cobweb Spiderwort involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cutback leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) propagation can be done during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings.
Cobweb Spiderwort propagation by plant division
Water the Cobweb Spiderwort thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.
Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new White Gossamer Plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Cobweb Spiderwort propagation from stem cuttings
The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting of about 4-6 inches from a healthy Cobweb Spiderwort and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Fill the rooting container with loose, free-draining soil to a depth of about 4 inches. Lightly moisten the soil.
With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the cutting. Carefully insert the cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 inches.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
Allow the new White Velvet Plants to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Tradescantia sillamontana Problems with Solutions
Cobweb Spiderwort problems include plant dying, leggy growth, loss of leaf color, leaf drop, yellowing leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Plant dying
Cobweb Spiderwort plant is dying from root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.
Dropping leaves
Cobweb Spiderwort will readily drop its leaves if the light is inadequate (too little). Ensure to place the plant in a brightly lit place where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Diseases
Cobweb Spiderwort is prone to leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.
Pests
Common pests in Cobweb Spiderwort are mealy bugs, aphids and scales. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves in Cobweb Spiderwort are due to underwatering. Underwatering means that there is not enough water in the soil for the plant to take up. As such, the stems become limp and the leaves begin to die.
Water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist. Lessen watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Leggy growth (elongated stems)
There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Cobweb Spiderwort. One possible cause is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it can receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not adequate.
The second cause of leggy growth in Cobweb Spiderwort is underwatering resulting in too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth.
Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season to maintain the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
The third cause of leggy growth in Tradescantia sillamontana is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the Coweb Spiderwort every 4 weeks in the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn as growth is reduced at this time. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color in Cobweb Spiderwort is caused by inadequate light (too little light). Move the plant where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough for the plant.
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